Will I love How Europe Underdeveloped Africa?

I read this book in hard copy first as part of my undergraduate readings at the University of Nigeria, and later on in my graduate studies programme. I have also found it useful for my students in my classes on political economy and decolonization of knowledge.

The book, even though written a long time ago, is a fine and thorough critique of colonialism and its apprehension as the roots of Africa’s development problems. It details how colonialism is one more step in a long history of the appropriation of the resources of the global South for the development of the… show more.

The canon of anti-colonial, anti-racism writing from and about Africa includes many authors whose passion and insights are sometimes muddied by turgid or masculinist prose. For me, Rodney stands out – and stands the test of time – by the way he so masterfully weaves history into a compelling narrative that utterly demolishes the lies and conceits about supposed Western benevolence toward the continent. Scales fell from my eyes the first time (of many) I read this book. And yes, Rodney is almost as androcentric in his language, sources, and arguments as was the norm in those days. But his… show more.

As a Caribbean historian with experience of studying and teaching in both London and Africa, Walter Rodney was particularly qualified to produce this classic work on colonial exploitation. Meticulously researched and argued, this book shows how the enslavement of Africans and seizure of African territory financed the European industrial development that has continued into the present, and left Africa impoverished. Had Rodney not been assassinated at the age of 38 by those who feared his capacities as a Black Power leader, we would have the benefit of many more such trenchant critiques of imperialism.